Region
East Asia
Engaging North Korea Via Subnational Diplomacy
By Matt Abbott
Subnational diplomacy offers an established, yet underutilized, opportunity for American officials to creatively engage Pyongyang.
China’s Foreign Affairs Director Seat May Fall out of the Politburo
By Tristan Kenderdine
Without any strong contender emerging to replace Yang Jiechi, the next director of the Office of Foreign Affairs could be cut from the Politburo, opening a slot for a different party position.
What’s Behind North Korea’s Extreme Vaccine Hesitancy?
By Thomas Byrne
North Korea is one of the few countries in the world not to have started a COVID-19 vaccine program.
Are China’s BRI Glory Days Over?
By Luke Hunt
ASEAN wrestles with Chinese debt and post-pandemic recovery plans.
More Americans Are Unsure of Biden’s North Korea Policy Than Under Trump
By Juni Kim
Love it or hate it, most Americans knew what the Trump administration was doing on North Korea – and what they thought of it.
WHO Starts Shipping COVID-19 Medical Supplies to North Korea
By Kim Tong-Hyung
Pyongyang has finally accepted international aid meant to combat the pandemic.
China-US Meeting in Zurich Paves the Way for a Biden-Xi Virtual Summit
By Shannon Tiezzi
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's meeting with Yang Jiechi, China's top foreign policy official, was noticeably milder than their first talks.
CIA Creates Working Group on China as Threats Keep Rising
By Nomaan Merchant
China is an especially difficult challenge for the U.S. intelligence community.
Japan’s Kishida: A Dove in Hawk’s Clothing?
By John Nilsson-Wright
The new Japanese prime minister will find it a challenge to unite his divided party while also winning the confidence of an increasingly skeptical electorate.
Tianjin Port Congestion Disrupts China-Mongolia Supply Chain
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Shipping delays at major Chinese ports are snarling Mongolian imports from third party countries, and costing Mongolian businesses.
What’s Behind China’s Latest Mega Hydro-Engineering Project?
By Genevieve Donnellon-May and Mark Wang
The Red Flag River is a means to expand China’s domestic water security networks.
Japan PM Kishida’s New Ministry and the Legacy of Abenomics
By Thisanka Siripala
While Kishida retains many of his predecessor's economic policies, his mission to reduce income disparities represents a fresh take on economic security.